The Sunday Mail
Lisa Tazviinga and Farai Matiashe
Harare Polytechnic Students
Many Zimbabwean tertiary institutions have been to several neighbouring countries in their quest to learn about the history of the liberation struggle and the relations between their country and its neighbours.
This is in compliance with National Studies curriculum which emphasise field-based learning.
But very few of these institutions have used the opportunity to strike partnerships with tertiary education institutions in the countries they visit.
This is despite the fact that we live in a global village requiring that such institutions engage in exchange programmes so as to mould graduates with a broader horizon and outlook about trends locally, regionally and internationally.
With this in mind, Msasa Industrial Training College (MITC) brought a new dimension to the visits.
Whilst in Zambia on an educational tour recently, MITC struck a partnership with Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC) which will see the two institutions collaborate and engage in mutually beneficial technical and vocational educational exchange programs.
Addressing the gathering at LBTC, director Mr Lawrence Zulu praised technical education.
“Our college originally started as a teachers’ college but it later transformed into a technical college because, worldwide, development is hinged on technology.
“We need to have more technical colleges and fewer universities like what the Chinese are doing,” said Zulu.
MITC Principal Mr Webster Tunduwani said the partnership will go a long way in improving educational cooperation between the two institutions.
“This development will benefit both institutions in their skills training programmes. I am happy with the exposure that our members had at LBTC, especially state-of-the-art equipment in their workshops. Our lecturers will come for attachment at LBTC during holidays to upgrade their skills in technical education training.
LBTC officials are set to visit MITC to operationalise the agreement and to learn more about how the latter administer its skills training programmes.
Areas of cooperation and collaboration will include disciplines such as Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical and Construction Engineering.
This vision is also in line with the nation’s STEM initiative and resonates well with objectives of setting up Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the area of training.
MITC students and staff members had the opportunity to visit COMESA where they had an appreciation of regional integration trade.
The visit was important for their Entrepreneurial Skills Development (ESD) subject which is important in fostering entrepreneurial spirit among the students.
As a skills training institution, the move by MITC dovetails with the SADC roadmap on industrialisation. The roadmap emphasises the importance of technological and economic transformation of the SADC region through industrialisation, modernisation, skills development, science and technology, financial strengthening and deeper regional integration.
MITC Auto Electronics student Kudakwashe Nyika said the trip was an eye-opener.
“During our visit to Lusaka, we were exposed to highly advanced workshop equipment. The training at LBTC is more advanced than that at our college. For this reason, I am happy with the exchange programme which will empower us with technopreneurial skills,’’ said Nyika.
The MITC delegation was welcomed by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Zambia, Her Excellency Getrude Takawira, and Embassy staff who facilitated the tour.
The ambassador explained to the delegation the relationship that exists between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
‘’The history of the relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia can be traced back to the Federation era and it deepens through the liberation struggle when our forces were trained here and facilitated refugee camps for Zimbabwean refugees,’’ said Ambassador Takawira. Students had an opportunity to learn how the war was waged on the Zambian side from one of the Zimbabwean side.
Defence attaché at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Zambia, Colonel Samuel Mupuvamhanga, who witnessed the war in Zambia, lectured students on what transpired during the Freedom Camp bombings.
‘’The Freedom Camp, which was also known as Chikumbi among the locals, housed Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) guerrillas, who operated under Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU).
“This was a transit camp where people would receive political orientation before going to Nampundwa where they were trained,” said Col Mupuvamhanga.
Freedom Camp was bombed in 1979 and 200 people lost their lives.
Those who died during the massacre lie buried at the historic Freedom Camp and their names are inscribed on the shrine wall.
“The effects of the mass bombings are evidenced by the mass graves we have here.
‘These are the gallant sons and daughter who sacrificed their lives for our independent Zimbabwe,’’ said Col Mupuvamhanga.
He said other camps which were bombed by the Rhodesian forces during their offensive against Zimbabwean cadres include Nampundwa Camp, Mukushi Girls Camp, Kavalamanja and Victory Camp killing a combined number of 400 cadres.
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